Poisoned Fortune

Death Found Him

Christopher Casper was on the phone with his mother that morning as he quickly dressed to head out. Having a concerned mom who was always checking in especially after the events that had happened almost like a misfortune.

“You still work so hard for that company, son?” she asked. His mother had been Ernest’s first and only legal wife although their marriage had soured along the way and they’d fought like natural enemies.

Years later, Ernest had filed for a divorce but Chris’ mother, Pauline, had refused to sign the papers, holding that she’d just move away but would never consent to ending the marriage as long as her son was still alive.

The struggle had caused a series of law suits but for some reason, Ernest had stopped pursuing so suddenly and treated Pauline like she didn’t even exist. Since then, Chris knew there was no love lost between his parents. Most times, it left him torn.

Now, his father was dead and things just felt weird. Chris exhaled. “I know but it’s still our company, mom. It’s our hard work and sweat. I can’t let it slip like that.”

Pauline grunted. “I’m not against you working hard like you’ve been doing for the business, but your father was an imbecile. He treated me like crap and now he dumps four idiots in your laps and is now trying to make it your job to fix his infidelity?”

It was exactly like that. “That’s not my job.”

Pauline scoffed. “You’ll soon realize that you were baby-sitting them.”

Chris paused for a while and then said, “mother, do you think someone murdered father?”

There was a long pause on the other end before Pauline said, “I usually don’t want to think about it but your father wasn’t the most liked man. I covered many of his excesses. I still think that there’s a possibility that the plane blowing up was no accident.”

Chris was finding that hard to stomach. Two months of believing that his father’s death had been an accident. But did it matter? He asked his next question. “there’s been two attacks on Grey and Eric. They think it has something to do with dad and the will. They think someone is picking off the heirs.”

“This insane will is going to bring nothing but division. Your father knew it; everyone knows it. He didn’t want any of you to have the company. Chris, I think you should keep a low profile. Stop being the hero.”

Of course, Pauline was worried about her son and Chris felt she wasn’t seeing the bigger picture. He was the rightful heir and with the right cards, he could come out on top. He listened to his mother but inwardly, his desire to inherit everything grew by leaps and bounds.

He’d spent his life slaving away for his father and it was only right that he reaped benefits. He wouldn’t allow some no name i***t waltz in and take things. But these attacks…

He exhaled. “Mom, I gotta go. I have a plane to catch. We’ll talk later.”

“Keep safe, son,” she said. “And stop including that b***h, Sally, in all your plans. She’s a snake in green grass.”

“Got it, mom.”

After hanging up, he did his tie, wore his coat and looked himself over in the mirror. Satisfied by the image that stared back at him, he rushed downstairs. His driver and three personal security aides were near the car he was taking out that day.

It was an old Lexus. His usual Mercedes was parked not far away and he was going to use it too. next to the Mercedes was a man dressed it the same manner as Chris. A body double. If they were attacking them, he had to play hard ball too by making them think he was somewhere while being somewhere else.

Before entering the old Lexus, Chris noticed someone he was unfamiliar with. He stopped. “Who are you?”

The man stepped forward. “I’m Carlos Yen,” he said. “I was assigned this morning, sir.”

Chris frowned. He didn’t remember asking the security agency for an assignment. The man looked strong and refined. He was about to ask further questions when his phone rang. His fiancé, Stacy was calling.

Chris quickly hopped into the car and gave instructions. The first car drove out with the fake Chris while his waited. He answered the call. “Stacy, is everything alright?”

“I’ll miss you,” she said, exhaling. “You’ll be gone for about a week. Madrid can be a lonely place, you know?”

Chris chuckled. “It’s just business, babe. I’ll be back in one piece and with souvenirs. What would you like?”

“How about you surprise me?”

“Good choice,” he said. “I’ll be at the airport soon. I just need to meet with some investors.”

“I don’t understand why they couldn’t come to you or do a video meeting. Isn’t this too much for a deal that might not go through?”

“Hush, don’t jinx it.” Chris glanced at his wrist watch and mouthed, ‘drive’ to the driver. Carlos and the other security guys were in the back with him. “I always close deals, babe. That’s why I’m the best.”

“Okay. Be safe.”

“I will.”

“I love you.”

Chris exhaled. “You’re my good thing.” He felt bad. He was yet to tell Stacy that he loved her. he wanted it to be special and he wanted it to come from his heart when it happened.

The drive was uneventful and Chris used the time to think about his proposal and bid for the business. The folks in Madrid were looking to break into the US real estate world and he wanted to be the one to partner and also secure a footing in their local market. It would be a win-win.

A few miles from the airport, Chris asked them to stop at a cheese factory. The driver did so and he got out and went to grab some cheese cakes. Carlos waited impatiently. He wanted them on the road. He didn’t like the job of infiltrating Chris’ circle but he had to do it for Diane.

A few minutes later, Chris came back out and just when he neared the car, three shots took him in the head, chest and neck. Chris’ body toppled like a top and he collapsed face down.

The other two security personnel yelled and pulled out their weapons. Carlos was shocked to the bones and he forgot to pull his gun when the others did. The next person to fall was the driver and then one of the other security personnel.

When the other bolted, Carlos took the cue and dashed towards the factory too. the whole place became chaotic so fast.

Carlos grabbed someone by the throat and yelled. “Call 911! Now!”

The terrified lady fumbled for her phone and made the call. They hid at the factory’s entrance and witnessed the madness unfold. The next thing that happened was the car blew up after it was shot with an explosive.

Carlos watched with wide eyes and a dry throat. Someone had just attacked and killed Chris Casper, the first son of Ernest Casper and it happened right before his eyes!

‘f**k,’ he thought. ‘Diane will not like this.’

How had it been so easy for them to get to him? they’d played a little diversion. Personally, when Carlos saw the plan for a body double, he’d been impressed. The attackers knew what was going on. They knew exactly what they were doing.

A few minutes later, the police arrived and secured the scene. they spread into the factory and nearby houses to ask questions. That was when Carlos knew it wasn’t safe to hang around. He fled.

Back at the scene, the police taped the area off and hastily carted Chris’ body away in the ambulance. The floor had patches of his blood most of which had been licked up by the fire from the exploding car.

“NYPD, we have a murder, subject is Christopher Casper and two others. Over.” One of the officers announced over the radio.

….

Not so far away, a man in black jacket and cap looked away from the scope of his sniper rifle. He smirked and said, “huh, look at that.”

His voice was gruff and sounded like stones grinding against stones. Gently, he took out his tablet and scrolled down his list and stopped at the point he wanted.

Target: Christopher Casper—phase one. He crossed that out and a red X mark was placed over the image. Job was done but not all done. There still about three to four phases to this particular job.

He put the tablet away and mumbled, “let’s begin phase two. The game of chicken.”

Nothing would be more pleasant that the news that would follow. He was grateful that he got a front row seat in this spectacular show down that was about to take the world.